The battlefields of South Africa will interest anyone who wants to know more about Boer, Brit and Zulu battle sites, the history of the wars that shaped the path that the early inhabitants of South Africa took.

A great Raconteur brings a battlefield tour alive and the KwaZulu-natal battlefields have many Battlefields Tour guides to take to the various sights.  It is a privilege to partake in the Battlefields Tours and it adds another dimension to our history.

Visitors to the battlefields must try to include a visit to the Talana Museum in Dundee, which is one of South Africa’s most impressive museums.  It is built on the site of the Battle of Talana, the opening engagement of the Anglo-Boer War.

The Blood River Monument is located near Vryheid and comprises 64 bronze ox wagons, precisely arranged on the empty veld in the original laager formation, marking the battleground where the Boers and Zulu’s fought in 1838.

The battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s drift are the two best known of the Anglo-Brit War of 1879.  It was on 17.01.1879, when a Zulu army of about 20 000 Impis began their march to confront the British army encamped at Isandlwana.  The attack on 22 January was a total surprise and the British and their local allies were slaughtered in what proved to be one of the worst defeats suffered by Queen Victoria’s armies during her while reign.

The victor’s invasion of the small mission station and military outpost at Rorke’s Drift was not successful and after withstanding assault after assault and fantastic barricading work, the 100+ defenders stood their ground!

In July 1879m the Zulu army was finally crushed when the British attacked the great encampment at Ondini, just south of Ulundi and burnt it to the ground.  Today a re-creation project includes the kraal, royal homestead, a museum and interpretive centre together with a large statue of King Cetshwayo.

So, no matter which war interests you, or if you are simply trying to piece together our history, taking a Battlefields Tour is well worth your time.